Are Birth Fathers in a Colorado Adoption Forgotten?
Are you a birth father that is considering adoption for your child? You are probably wondering how important birth fathers are in the adoption process. How involved should birth fathers be in adoption? The birth mother is often seen as being responsible for unplanned pregnancy and is seen as the selfless parent who makes a sacrifice to have a better future. However, birth fathers are unsung heroes of adoption who are also often involved in an adoption story. Adoption Choices of Colorado is here to explain why birth fathers in adoption should not be forgotten.
Birth Fathers can be Involved in the Adoption Process in Colorado
Birth fathers can be a part of the adoption process if you choose. Of course, the level of involvement often depends on the relationship with the birth mother. It is a common myth that the responsibility of an unplanned pregnancy falls on the birth mother, but if adoption is an option that both the birth parents feel is the best one for their child, then the birth father has the right to be involved in the process as well.
As a birth father, you can participate in choosing the type of adoption: open, semi-open, or closed. An agency like Adoption Choices of Colorado can give you all the information you need to know about your adoption options and help you create an adoption plan that is best for you, the birth mother, and your child.
As a birth father, you can also be a part of choosing your child’s adoptive family if you choose. Of course, if you or the birth mother do not want to be involved in this step, we will choose a loving family for you. But if choosing the adoptive family is a part of the adoption process that you would like to have a say in, that is certainly an option for you. Potential adoptive families have to go through background checks to ensure that they are emotionally and financially ready to be parents. Adoption Choices of Colorado will present you with adoptive family profiles so that you can find a family that will be the best fit for your child. You can think about the kind of family you want to raise your child. If you want them to be raised in a religious household or a sporty household, you can choose a family that will raise your child with these preferences in mind.
Choosing adoption for your child does not mean that you are giving up control of an unplanned pregnancy. It means that you can have a hand in building a good life for your child, one where they will be loved and cherished by a caring family.
Why it is Beneficial that Birth Fathers be a Part of the Adoption Process
It is beneficial to be part of the adoption process because support for the birth mother is very important and vice versa. An unplanned pregnancy is a very challenging situation to be in. Having support throughout the adoption journey is beneficial for both the birth father and the birth mother.
One of the most important reasons why it is beneficial to be part of the adoption process is that it means that you, as a birth father, can still be a part of your child’s story. You are helping to shape their lives. You are not abandoning your child. You are giving them a chance at having a better life than you can provide for your child. Adoption is not something to be ashamed of. Birth fathers are heroes that are putting their child’s best interests above their wishes.
Birth Fathers can Still be Part of their Child’s Life
Birth fathers do not have to be a forgotten page in a child’s adoption story. As a birth father, if you choose open adoption for your child, you can still be a part of their life. You can contact your child when you feel ready, or they can reach out to you in the future. You can have a say in terms of the open adoption and discuss with the adoptive parents the level of openness you wish to have with your child. Adoptive parents can even send you letters or updates on how your child is growing. You could even meet your child one day. Every birth father is different, so it is important to choose a level of openness that you are comfortable with when making your adoption plan.
Are Birth Fathers in Adoption Forgotten?
Although birth fathers are often the unsung heroes of an adoption story, there are ways to be a part of the adoption journey as a birth father if you choose. With the help of an adoption agency like Adoption Choices of Colorado, you can be involved in creating an adoption plan that will shape the life of your child. Because you can be part of your child’s life if you choose an open adoption, you will not be forgotten. Even if you are uncomfortable with fully open adoption, you are still an integral part of your child’s adoption story.
Birth fathers are heroes.
Ready to learn more about adoption?
If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy and want to learn more about your adoption options, contact Adoption Choices of Colorado by email, phone, or text: Email Us, Text us: 720-371-1099, Call us: 303-670-4673 (HOPE). If you are hoping to adopt, please contact us here.
Hunter Frederick is a graduate of Siena College with a degree in English and a Theatre Certificate. She is the co-author of the virtual reality play, Paneless, along with the play, the Little Vagabond, based on William Blake’s Songs of Innocence and Experience. She is also the co-author of a historical play, Yours, for the Oppressed, based on the lives of Albany Abolitionists, Harriet and Stephen Myers, who toured Underground Railroad Sites of New York State.
In her free time, you can find Hunter cooking in the kitchen while listening to Musical Theatre songs.
Stephanie joined the Adoption Choices family in 2014 as the Child Placement Supervisor. Her love for adoption began in first grade when she made friends with twins adopted from Vietnam. Her heart grew strong over the years for adopted children and ultimately led her to graduate school where she continued her focus to her dream of working in the adoption field. Stephanie earned a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Denver in 2001. Over the past 15 years, Stephanie has worked as a pregnancy counselor and as an adoptive parent counselor for foster care, international adoption and domestic adoption, writing hundreds of home studies for families, and helping build their forever families. Stephanie is married and has three boys ages 12, 9, and 5. Together with her family she enjoys riding bike, playing games, watching her three sons compete in their various sporting and musical activities and go on vacations.
Christy Ikeler, is our Executive Director and Birth Parent Director. Christy has been with Adoption Choices Team for 18 years, since opening the doors in 2002! Christy has a true passion for what she does and her true love is working with and helping each birth parent. Whether she is up all night on the phone talking with them, taking them to doctors appointments, out for their favorite treat, providing counseling or at the hospital during labor and delivery, Christy is very involved every step of the way. She has a contagious laugh and a spunky personality that our birth moms all can bond with and relate to. As an adoptive parent herself, adoption holds a very special place in her heart and she can relate on every level with both birth parents and adoptive parents. In her free time Christy loves spending time with her daughter, gardening, baking and taking vacations with her family. Christy is an excellent leader for our team at Adoption Choices and is truly one of a kind!! As Executive Director, Christy spends time with the staff, birth parents and adoptive families in order to ensure that the agency is running smoothly. She has placed a huge emphasis on community outreach and programs for birth parents. Christy loves the opportunity to lead the agency into a brighter future.
Ms. Mackenzie has built a successful counseling career over the past 20 years, supporting mothers and families, people of all ages and genders, students, community professionals and fellow clinicians. Liv values a diverse professional focus, including the entrepreneurial life of a sole proprietor, the evaluative process of certifying foster/adoptive homes, the insightful and mindful one-on-one one work with enthusiastic clients, and serving as an advocate for underserved populations. Liv is a Licensed Professional Counselor and holds a BA in Pre-Law and Economics from American University, an MA in Counseling from Adams University and a certificate in Human Resource Management from Villanova University. Away from work you will find Liv spending time in nature, biking to the farmer’s market and adventuring with her family.
Catherine A. Madsen, joined the Adoption Choices family as legal counsel in 2013. Catherine is responsible for providing legal guidance to the Agency, training and updating staff on developments in adoption law and legislation, and program development. Catherine
Virginia Frank is an adoption attorney accredited since 1991 with the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys. Ms. Frank is a leader in the field of private adoption and has completed over 4,000 adoptions in her career. Ms. Frank has a law degree from Oklahoma City University and a BA in both Political Science and Communications from the University of Oklahoma.
Cassidie has been with Adoption Choices since 2015, she has her bachelors in Interdisciplinary Affairs with concentrations in both Sociology and Business Management. Cassidie has additional training in Victim Advocacy, foster care and has been working in women’s services for over 10 years. Cassidie has always had a heart for adoption and it was her career dream to work in adoption. She started off doing volunteer work for advocacy programs, adoption organizations and worked in High Risk Maternal Fetal Medicine through the University of Colorado Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Colorado. Cassidie is also blessed to have personally experienced an adoption of her own in 2012, completing her family of five! Cassidie loves what she does as a case worker from initial phone calls, meetings, doctor appointments, interaction with the adoptive families to delivery and counseling. Cassidie has a passion for those in need and strives to help make a difference in the lives of the people she meets. She is a firm believer in being kind, compassionate and open minded in all situations. “Unless you’ve walked in their shoes, there’s no place for judgment. A kind word or compliment can go a long way!” The bittersweet moments in adoption reminds Cassidie each and every time, why she loves what she does!